Vision facilitation apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method of using same for facilitating and improving vision, specifically reading or near vision. The apparatus is configured for facilitating vision from one eye of a user. The apparatus includes a lens having two side surfaces for enhancing vision when positioned close to an eye of a user, and a holding mechanism including a first portion at least partially framing the lens and a second portion extending from the first portion in the plane of the two side surfaces. The apparatus further includes a container, connected to the second portion via a connector, for containing the holding mechanism and lens.

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/021,640 filed Dec. 12, 2001, entitled “VISION FACILITATIONAPPARATUS AND METHOD, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) toU.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/255,695, filed Dec. 13, 2000,entitled “VISION FACILITATION APPARATUS AND METHOD.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to vision facilitating devices.More specifically, the present invention provides for an apparatus forfacilitating vision from one eye of a user, and method for making thesame.

[0003] A person's vision, or eyesight, can become impaired. Vision maydegenerate over time or eyesight can become degraded due to illness,disease, accident or other ailment. Age-related vision degradationusually leads to a diminished near-vision, which renders text andclose-up small items very difficult to see. To remedy this circumstance,a person can wear eyeglasses, which include reading glasses ortraditional prescription eyeglasses. Eyeglasses are well known devicesthat are made with two lenses held by a frame, which must be arrangedfor being supported over the user's nose, and which further include apair of arms that bridge over the user's ears to aid in holding theeyeglasses in place.

[0004] An environment may also lead to permanently or temporarilyimpaired vision, such as a low light level, or a small object that mustbe viewed. Well known remedies for these situations include, as before,wearing eyeglasses or reading glasses, or using a magnifying glass. Amagnifying glass usually has a single magnifying lens adapted for beingpositioned close to the thing being viewed, and coupled with a handlethat is adapted for being held in the user's hand. A magnifying glass isheld close to an object to magnify a view of that object. Accordingly,only a small area of sight is improved by using a magnifying glass. Allother areas of sight will remain impaired.

[0005] In either instance, a person cannot always carry with him or hera magnifying glass or eyeglasses. Such devices are easily forgotten ormisplaced, or too inconvenient to carry. Further, the utility of amagnifying glass is limited to the small area directly beneath themagnifying lens and, therefore, is not usually considered a necessaryaccessory. Further still, fashion trends of modern society may sometimesdictate against the use of such devices in social situations. Lastly,most eyeglasses, and to some extent most magnifying glasses, are of asize which can be easily broken in, or unwieldy for, common orrepetitive uses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention relates to an apparatus for improving andfacilitating a user's vision, particularly near vision and readingvision. In an embodiment, the apparatus is small, convenient to carryand use, and is of resilient manufacture. In accordance with aparticular embodiment, an apparatus includes a lens having two sidesurfaces for enhancing vision when positioned close to an eye of a user,and a holding mechanism including a first portion at least partiallyframing the lens and a second portion extending from the first portionin the plane of the two side surfaces. The apparatus further includes acontainer, connected to the second portion via a connector, forcontaining the holding mechanism and lens.

[0007] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a methodof improving near or reading vision includes the steps of withdrawing alens from a container, wherein the lens is at least partially framed bya holding mechanism coupled to the container. The method furtherincludes the step of positioning the lens close to one eye, wherein thelens is fabricated of a size, shape and power such that it improves asubstantially complete area of vision from the one eye when positionedclose to the one eye.

[0008] In accordance with another embodiment, the lens and holdingmechanism are attached to the container via a connector. The connectorcan be a pin, and can be biased so that the lens and holding mechanismmay be sprung from the container. The connector may also be any type ofmechanism which allows withdrawal and reinsertion of the lens andholding mechanism from the container, while maintaining a couplingtherebetween.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0009]FIG. 1 is a front view of a vision facilitating apparatus, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010]FIGS. 2A and 2B show side views of alternative embodiments of alens according to an embodiment.

[0011]FIG. 3 is a front view of a vision facilitating apparatusaccording to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

[0012]FIG. 4 illustrates a container for a vision facilitating system.

[0013]FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a vision facilitatingapparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] The figures and the accompanying description below are examplesof the preferred embodiment of the present invention and a fewvariations. A person of skill in the art will understand that many ofthe specific details of the embodiments shown here can be varied withoutdeparting from the novelty of the invention.

[0015]FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 1 for facilitating vision, in accordancewith the invention. Preferably, the apparatus 1 facilitates and improvesnear and reading vision, and as such is adapted for being positionedclose to one eye of a user. The apparatus 1 includes a lens 2 and caninclude a holding mechanism 4. The lens 2 is formed of a size and shape,and has a power to improve a substantially complete area of vision fromthe one eye of the user. Thus, when positioned close to the one eye, thelens 2 improves nearly the entire range of vision out from that eye, toclarify any object within that range of vision. A shape of the lens 2includes, but is not limited to being, circular, or any other shape thatincludes at least a portion that facilitates a user's vision. Thus, thelens 2 can be formed in alternative shapes and configurations,consistent with the principles of the invention.

[0016] The holding mechanism 4 includes a first portion 6 that is sizedto accommodate the lens 2, and hold the lens. The holding mechanism 4further includes a second portion 8 coupled with the first portion 6,and sized and configured for being held by a user. The second portion 8is preferably sized for being grasped between two fingers of the user.However, when the holding mechanism 4 or apparatus 1 is coupled toanother object, the apparatus 1 could be held by the user, via thesecond portion 8, in accordance with other practices, such as the usergrasping the other object, etc. The holding mechanism can besubstantially flat and extended in the plane of the lens 2.

[0017] In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the second portion8 includes a subportion 9. The subportion 9 forms a part of the secondportion 8 for being held by the user. In a specific embodiment, thesubportion 9 is trapezoidal, having a first parallel side 42 and asecond parallel side 43 that is longer than the first parallel side 42.The subportion 9 is further defined by a first end 44 coupled to theholding mechanism first portion 6, and a second end 45 defining a spaceor boundary between the first and second parallel sides 42, 43. In thespecific embodiment, the holding mechanism is Q-shaped.

[0018] The second portion 8 can also include an aperture 10, formed inthe surface of the second portion 8. The aperture 10 can also be formedto have any shape. The aperture is adapted for being threaded by a ring,chain, or any other member which can attach to another object. In oneembodiment of the invention, for example, the aperture is adapted toreceive a pin, and the pin is also threaded through a container that issized for holding the vision facilitating apparatus. The lens can bewithdrawn from and reinserted into the container by rotating theapparatus about the axis of the pin.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the lens 2 has a diameter ofapproximately 1 inch. The holding mechanism first portion 6, whenentirely circumscribing the lens, has an outer diameter of approximately1.16 inches. The holding mechanism second portion 8 extends from thefirst portion 6 by approximately 0.3 inches. These measurements aremerely exemplary. In an embodiment, the holding mechanism is formed intoa unitary piece based on a single mold, so that the lens 2 may be simplysnapped into place in the holding mechanism first portion.

[0020] Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, there are shown severalembodiments of a lens 2. In FIG. 2A, the lens 2 is defined by acircumferential edge 13 bounded by a two side surfaces 12 and 14. In oneembodiment of the invention, a first side surface 12 and the second sidesurface 14 are planar. However, one of the side surfaces can have acurvature. The power or magnification of the lens 2 is such that, whenpositioned closer to one eye of a user than an object being viewed,vision within a substantially total range of sight from the one eye isimproved.

[0021] In a specific embodiment, the lens power is between 2.0 and 4.5diopters. In a specific exemplary embodiment, the power is between 3.0and 3.5 diopters, which is a level of magnification that is suitable fornearly all users. This diopter power range enables a user to positionthe lens to the eye and see an entire reading or viewing area, or inother words, facilitates and improves vision for the entire range ofsight.

[0022]FIG. 2B shows an alternative embodiment of the lens 2 in whichboth a first side surface 16 and a second side surface 18 havecurvatures. In the embodiment, a combination of the curvatures issufficient to produce a desired strength of optic magnification, orpower, as described above. Further still, one side surface may beconcave while the other side surface may be convex. Those skilled in theart would recognize that any combination of curvature or planarizationwhich yields a desired optic strength is within the scope of theinvention, so long as the lens 2 is formed of a relatively thin piece ofmaterial.

[0023] The lens 2 may be formed of a material which includes glass,plastic, acrylic, or the like. Also, a coloring may included in theformation of the lens for filtering certain wavelengths of visiblelight. For instance, the lens could be yellow to aid vision in darkenvironments, brown to aid vision in bright environments, or anothercolor for maximum eye comfort. Further, the lens may be inscribed with acolored pattern, icon or logo.

[0024]FIG. 3 shows an alternative configuration of the visionfacilitating apparatus, for illustrating that the apparatus according tothe invention can have any form or shape. In the embodiment shown, thelens 2 is circular, but can be any shape or polygon. The holdingmechanism 4 includes a narrow first portion 20 that completelycircumscribes the lens, but in other embodiments such first portion 20can partially circumscribe the lens, or the holding mechanism 4 couldeven not include a first portion 20. A second portion 22 is coupled tothe first portion 20 in one embodiment, but in other configurationscould be attached directly to the lens 2. The second portion 22 is shownas having an angular shape, in this case being a triangle. An aperture24 is formed in the second portion 22, and can take a similar ordifferent general shape as the second portion 22.

[0025]FIG. 4 illustrates a container 30, in which the visionfacilitating apparatus 1 may be contained, and from which the apparatus1 can be swiveled or sprung. As described above, the apparatus 1 iscoupled to the container 30 via a pin 32, which in one embodiment iscoupled through both a corner of the container 30 and the apparatus 1.In other embodiments, the mechanism by which the apparatus 1 is attachedto the container could be a ring, a bar, a hook, or any other suitablemember.

[0026]FIG. 5 shows an alternative exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, in which an apparatus 1 includes a lens 2 and a holdingmechanism 4 for holding the lens 2. In the embodiment shown, the holdingmechanism 4 includes a first portion 6 that partially circumscribes thelens 2. The holding mechanism 4 may thus be snapped or temporarily bentinto place around the lens 2. A second portion 8 extends from the firstportion 6, preferably in the same general plane as the lens 2 and/or thefirst portion 6. A third portion 15 of the holding mechanism ispreferably sized and adapted to be held between two fingers of a user,to provide an alternative mechanism by which the apparatus 1 may bepositioned to a user's eye. A size of the third portion 15 may becomplementary to a size of the second portion 8.

[0027] The second portion 8 includes an aperture 10, which is sized andadapted for receiving a securing mechanism 11. The securing mechanism 11can be formed of any member which can be suitably attached to theaperture 10 of the apparatus 1. Examples of the securing mechanisminclude a ring found with conventional key ring assemblies, a chain, ora pin.

[0028] In summary, the preferred embodiments described above allow foran improved vision facilitating apparatus and method of its manufacture.The above description is illustrative and not restrictive. Manyvariations of the invention will become apparent to those of skill inthe art upon review of this disclosure. The scope of the inventionshould, therefore, be determined not with reference to the abovedescription, but instead should be determined with reference to theappended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for facilitating vision, comprising:a lens having two side surfaces for enhancing vision when positionedclose to an eye of a user; a holding mechanism including a first portionat least partially framing the lens and a second portion extending fromthe first portion in the plane of the two side surfaces; and acontainer, connected to the second portion via a connector, forcontaining the holding mechanism and lens.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the connector is a pin.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theconnector includes a biasing mechanism by which the holding mechanismand lens can be sprung from the container.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein the second portion includes an aperture, through which the pinis threaded.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the holding mechanismand lens are withdrawn and reinserted from the container by rotationabout the axis of the pin.
 6. An apparatus for facilitating vision,comprising: a container for containing a vision facilitation device,wherein the vision facilitation device is coupled to the container by aconnecter and rotatable about an axis of the connector for beingwithdrawn from and reinserted into the container; wherein the visionfacilitation device includes a lens for enhancing vision when positionedclose to an eye of a user.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein thevision facilitation device further includes a holding mechanismincluding a first portion at least partially framing the lens and asecond portion extending from the first portion in the plane of the twoside surfaces.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the connectorcouples the second portion of the holding mechanism to the container. 9.A method of improving near or reading vision, comprising: withdrawing alens from a container, wherein the lens is at least partially framed bya holding mechanism coupled to the container; positioning the lens closeto one eye, wherein the lens is fabricated of a size, shape and powersuch that it improves a substantially complete area of vision from theone eye when positioned close to the one eye.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein withdrawing the lens from the container includes rotating thelens and holding mechanism around an axis of a pin which couples theholding mechanism to the container.